Herbaceous Periwinkle
ExplorePlants
Herbaceous Periwinkle
Vinca herbacea
Herbaceous Periwinkle is a lovely plant with shiny green leaves and pretty blue flowers. It grows close to the ground and can spread quickly, making it a cheerful addition to gardens.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Herbaceous Periwinkle has delicate, bright green leaves that grow on long, trailing stems. Its five-petaled, pinwheel-shaped flowers are a striking blue-violet, often with a white center, visually differentiating it from evergreen periwinkles.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyApocynaceaeGenusVinca
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Ancient folklore sometimes linked periwinkle flowers to protection and good luck charms!
Its name 'periwinkle' might come from a Latin word meaning 'to bind,' referring to its creeping stems!
Look closely! Its flowers often have a tiny white 'eye' in the middle, a perfect target for busy bees!
Unlike its evergreen relatives, this periwinkle completely vanishes in winter, only to magically reappear in spring!
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Ground Cover
Herbaceous Periwinkle can quickly spread using trailing stems that root as they grow, effectively covering large patches of ground.
Ability
Winter Disappearance Act
Herbaceous Periwinkle has the ability to die back completely in winter, allowing it to survive extreme cold and return fresh in spring.
Ability
Shade Seeker
Herbaceous Periwinkle can thrive in partial to full shade, an adaptation that helps it find growing space where other plants might struggle.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 50-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Visits flowers for nectar, aiding reproduction.
eaten by
Spanish Slug
Arion vulgaris
Slugs sometimes feed on the leaves.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or picking plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Herbaceous Periwinkle?
10-30 cm
How wide does Herbaceous Periwinkle spread?
50-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Herbaceous Periwinkle?
2-3 cm
When does Herbaceous Periwinkle bloom?
Spring to early Summer
Is Herbaceous Periwinkle edible?
No
Is Herbaceous Periwinkle toxic?
Mild
What is Herbaceous Periwinkle's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Herbaceous Periwinkle pollinated?
Insect
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